T.J. McConnell is reaching a new offensive peak and guiding Indiana Pacers to wins

McConnell has been excellent recently

INDIANAPOLIS — Entering this season, Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell had never averaged more than 10 points per game across a full campaign. His best season in terms of scoring per 36 minutes came last year when he dropped in 15.3 points per 36.

This season, the veteran ball handler is smashing those numbers. He is currently averaging 10.1 points per game and 19.9 points per 36 minutes. He's still a terrific passer, and his assists figures are near where they have been for most of his career. But his scoring has reached peak levels, and it's been key for the Pacers of late.

"He's just so great getting to his spot. I've seen him before games, during practice times, he works on that. Once he gets to that, it just feels automatic," Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said of McConnell and how he is boosting the Pacers with his scoring.

Across the last few weeks, McConnell has been one of Indiana's most reliable offense weapons. Since the All-Star break, he is averaging 13.5 points and 5.3 assists per game, and he's shooting 57.7% in the stretch. In the last month of time, those numbers are all even better. The reserve point guard has turned into a scorer in a way he never was before.

He's reliable, too. In 19 of his last 24 outings, he has reached double digits in points. In four of the five games he was under 10 points, he was at least eight. As the Pacers have tweaked their play style in recent months, they have needed McConnell to be consistent as a scorer. He has stepped into that role seamlessly.

"With him, there is a fine line because we don't want to over play him. We want to keep him relatively fresh. He's had a great year," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of McConnell's minutes and scoring both climbing. "This goes back to really the very beginning of the year when it looked like he might be out of the rotation... he's a special player and a big part of what we are trying to do here."

McConnell is up to 19.8 minutes per game since the All-Star break, a jump over his season average. His scoring makes him a needed piece for the blue and gold, but he has earned the opportunity to get minutes with his play. He continues to make shots, and he continues to hit the hardwood.

About one month ago, young Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin suffered a shoulder injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Since then, McConnell is taking 11.2 shots per game and knocking down 55.8% of them. Prior to that injury, those numbers were 7.3 and 55.3%, respectively. The 32-year old has been needed in a heavier ball handling and scoring role recently, and he's been up for it.

"Really just trying to let the game come to me," McConnell said of his recent scoring uptick. "I feel like when I drive, a lot of teams are staying home on our shooters and bigs, so that kind of opens up the lane for me. Just trying to get downhill and create a problem. If that's getting to the rim or pulling up for my midrange and shooting the open three, then that's what I've got to do."

His new level has changed the dynamic of the Pacers. On multiple occasions, the veteran guard has closed games, something Carlisle said is a result of his high-level play. On the floor, McConnell is hitting shots from everywhere. At the rim, he's knocked down nearly 74.6% of his shots this season — a career high. In the mid-range, he's been lights out. Defenders don't know how to handle his funky approach, and he punishes the space they give up.

"I think just being really, ultra aggressive. I think he's just playing with a lot of confidence, really trusting his jumper right now," star Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said of McConnell. "I wouldn't say that he's ever trusted his jumper as an NBA player. So I think that that's really changing things for him," he added, noting that his backup is playing with a lot of confidence.

"He's very unassuming. He elevates so much on his jump shot," center Myles Turner added.

McConnell, who often plays with just one or none of the Pacers stars, still guides the team to a 120+ offensive rating when he's on the hardwood. Despite not being a high-volume three-point shooter or athletic play finisher, the reserve floor general is still one of the league's best scorers off the bench. It has been everything for the blue and gold recently.

They can roll out a five-man bench group and keep up with opponents almost entirely due to McConnell's offensive brilliance. That gives the Pacers a chance to rest Haliburton and Siakam more often and have a rotation that is potent for 48 minutes. It wouldn't be possible if McConnell wasn't a constant threat with the ball — Indiana would have to be creative when searching for shot creation otherwise.

"I think that when he's able to get downhill, he has such an array of finishes around the basket," Turner said.

This level of play from McConnell is why he is drawing the praise of LeBron James of late. He is changing games for the Pacers, who have a chance to clinch a playoff berth this weekend. And his opponents hate that they can't stop him.

"Pretty annoying," Siakam recalled of playing against McConnell in the past.

His scoring is changing games, and the fortunes of the Pacers. It's hard to imagine where they would be without McConnell since the All-Star break, but the veteran guard has been vital to the team's success and could guide them into the postseason.

• Tyrese Haliburton sets Indiana Pacers single-season franchise assist record on a night the Pacers needed him. CLICK HERE.
• The Pacers needed to be clutch and to win vs Miami Heat to keep playoff hopes alive. They got it done. CLICK HERE.
• Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle passes Red Auerbach, moves to 12th in NBA All-Time coaching wins. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers overcome slow start to take down Toronto Raptors on the road. CLICK HERE.
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